Wood-based 3D printing: Potential and limitation to 3D print building elements with cellulose & lignin

Under urgent sustainability targets, the building industry craves for renewable and recyclable biomaterials as cellulose is a fiber; Lignin is a plant-derived low-cost polymer with remarkable properties, yet its valorization is in its infancy. Recent studies have shown potentials to combine cellulose and lignin into a renewable bio-based...

Topologically optimized cast glass: A new design approach for loadbearing monolithic glass components of reduced annealing time

Up to now, fabricating cast glass components of substantial mass and/or thickness involves a lengthy and perplex annealing process. This has limited the use of this glass manufacturing method in the built environment to simple objects up to the size of regular building bricks, which can be annealed within a few hours. For the first time,...

Dynamic and interactive re-formulation of multi-objective optimization problems for conceptual architectural design exploration

Simulation-Based Multi-Objective Optimization (SBMOO) methods are being increasingly used in conceptual architectural design. They mostly focus on the solving, rather than the re-formulation, of a Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) problem. However, Optimization Problem Re-Formulation (Re-OPF) is necessary for treating ill-defined conceptual...

Integrating multi-functional space and long-span structure in the early design stage of indoor sports arenas by using parametric modelling and multi-objective optimization

Indoor multi-functional sports arenas are a complex building type. Integration of the (multi-) functional space and of the large-span structure of the roof mainly determines the overall geometry of the building, and is one of the most challenging phases of the design. Several interdisciplinary numeric assessments and numerous solutions with...

Terra–ink additive earth manufacturing for emergency architecture

In recent years, natural disaster and military conflicts forced vast numbers of people to flee their home countries, contributing to the migration crisis we are facing today. According to the UNHCR, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached the highest level since World War II. Post-disaster housing is by nature diverse and...

Integrating the Multi-Functional Space and Long-Span Structure for Sports Arena Design: A design exploration process based on design optimization and self-organizing map

The multi-functional space of sports arena is highly related to the long-span structure. To support the integration of these two aspects, design optimization combining parametric modeling, performance simulations, and searching algorithm can be used. However, optimization is powerful in dealing with quantitative performance, but for some soft...

Kinematics of Folded Glass Plate Structures: Study of a Deployable Roof System

The purpose of this paper, as part of a MSc graduation project, has been to explore to which extent the kinematic potential of folded geometries can benefit from the structural and architectural properties of glass plates. Using as a case study the covering in an adjustable way an outdoor swimming pool area, the course of this paper consists of...

Multi-disciplinary and multi-objective optimization problem re-formulation in computational design exploration: A case of conceptual sports building design

The benefits of applying multi-objective optimization (MOO) in building design have been increasingly recognized in recent decades. The existing or traditional computational design optimization (CDO) approaches mostly focus on optimization problem solving (OPS), as they often conduct optimizations directly by assuming the optimization...

A Parametric Modelling Process for the Integration of Architecture and Structure in Large Multi-functional Sports Hall Design: a Case Study

The integration of architectural (functional spaces) and structural design is especially crucial for the conceptual design of large multi-functional sports halls, due to the strict regulations for functional spaces, the requirement of large-span structure, and the complex interrelationships between these two aspects. This on-going research aims...

Multi-objective and multidisciplinary design optimization of large sports building envelopes: A case study

Currently, in the conceptual envelope design of sports facilities, multiple engineering performance feedbacks (e.g. daylight, energy and structural performance) are expected to assist architectural design decision-making. In general, it is known as Building Performance Optimization in the conceptual architectural design phase. Essentially, it...

Architectural DNA: A genetic exploration of complex structures

The approach demonstrated in this paper uses Evolutionary Computation (EC) to enhance and modify structural form based on biological micro structures.The forms are modified to conform to new boundary conditions associated with architectural structures.The process is based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) which visually exposes for the designer a...